Brantley Boys Rally Past Hubbertville 78-67 to Advance to Class 1A State Final

Brantley Bulldogs Rally Past Hubbertville, Advance to Class 1A State Final

BIRMINGHAM, AL – The Brantley Bulldogs, a program known for its winning tradition, showed they’re back on track after missing last year’s state football playoffs. With an earlier start to basketball practice, the preparation paid off in a big way Monday night at the BJCC Legacy Arena. Brantley defeated Hubbertville 78-67 to secure a spot in the Class 1A state championship game.

The Bulldogs (23-4) are now set to face either Oakwood Adventist or R.C. Hatch in Thursday’s championship showdown.


 

Bulldogs Take Control Late in First Half

With just under a minute remaining in the first half, Brantley was clinging to a slim 30-29 lead in a competitive back-and-forth battle. That’s when the Bulldogs made their move. Sophomore Jayden Parks, son of Brantley’s head coach, sank two free throws followed by a long-range 3-pointer. Senior forward Jon Harper Kilcrease then stepped up in a big way, knocking down two 3-pointers in the final 12 seconds of the half. Kilcrease, who had missed his first seven shots of the night, sparked a surge that pushed Brantley’s lead to 41-29 at halftime.

Hubbertville’s Efforts Fall Short

Hubbertville, making its first-ever final four appearance, fought hard early on. The Lions (24-6) led 17-10 at the start of the second quarter and were ahead 27-25 with 2:45 left in the half. A quick five points from sophomore Cole Brand kept Hubbertville in contention, but Brantley responded with a decisive 16-2 run to close the half.

The Lions didn’t back down in the third quarter, as Tracee Cowan III hit two 3-pointers to trim the deficit to 41-35. Brand’s 3-pointer brought Hubbertville within six points a few moments later. However, Brantley answered with another run, scoring nine unanswered points to extend their lead to 50-35. Parks capped off the momentum with a key 3-pointer late in the third.

Brantley Secures the Win

By the fourth quarter, Brantley’s lead had grown to 64-46, and the Lions couldn’t close the gap to less than eight points for the remainder of the game.

The Bulldogs’ balanced offense was on full display with four players scoring in double figures. Parks led all scorers with an impressive 34 points, while Kilcrease added 13, Julius Sylvester contributed 15, and Michael Thompson chipped in 10.

Hubbertville also showcased a strong, youthful core. Blaize Wakefield and Cowan each scored 15 points, while Rushing and Brand added 14 apiece—all four leading scorers for the Lions are just sophomores, pointing to a bright future for the program.

Next Up

With their dominant win, the Brantley Bulldogs are now just one game away from clinching the Class 1A state title. Fans can catch the championship game on Thursday at the BJCC Legacy Arena, where Brantley will look to cap off their impressive comeback season with a championship victory.

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